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| United States Patent |
5,508,600
|
|
Myslinski
, et al.
|
April 16, 1996
|
Method for displaying a charge level of a battery
Abstract
A method for displaying a charge level of a battery includes the steps of
(1) displaying the charge level of the battery in a first manner during
battery charging, and (2) displaying the charge level of the battery in a
second manner which is different than the first manner during battery
discharging. The first manner displaying step includes the step of
operating a battery charge level indicator in a first mode, and the second
manner displaying step includes the step of operating the battery charge
level indicator in a second mode which is different than the first mode.
In addition, a battery charge level indicator is disclosed and includes a
display for indicating a charge level of a battery, and a mechanism for
operating the display so as to indicate whether the battery is in a charge
state of operation or a discharge state of operation.
| Inventors:
|
Myslinski; Theodore A. (Freehold, NJ);
Heredia; Rafael (Aberdeen, NJ)
|
| Assignee:
|
NCR Corporation (Dayton, OH)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
228975 |
| Filed:
|
April 15, 1994 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
340/636.1; 320/DIG.21 |
| Intern'l Class: |
H01M 010/48 |
| Field of Search: |
320/48,14,13
324/430,429
340/636
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 3940679 | Feb., 1976 | Brandwein et al. | 320/48.
|
| 5043651 | Aug., 1991 | Tamura | 320/43.
|
| 5105180 | Apr., 1992 | Yamada et al. | 320/48.
|
| 5124627 | Jun., 1992 | Okada | 320/48.
|
| 5130658 | Jul., 1992 | Bohmer | 324/435.
|
| 5130659 | Jul., 1992 | Sloan | 320/48.
|
| 5406188 | Apr., 1995 | Myslinski et al. | 320/14.
|
Primary Examiner: Wong; Peter S.
Assistant Examiner: Tso; Edward
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Maginot; Paul J.
Parent Case Text
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/056,081, filed
May 3, 1993, U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,188.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for displaying charge levels of a battery adapted to power a
portable computer, with the portable computer having a charge state of
operation and a discharge state of operation, comprising the steps of:
displaying a first series of at least two different charge levels of the
battery in a first manner during the charge state of operation of the
portable computer; and
displaying a second series of a least two different charge levels of the
battery in a second manner, which is different from the first manner,
during the discharge state of operation of the portable computer.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the first manner displaying step includes the step of operating a battery
charge level indicator in a first mode, and
the second manner displaying step includes the step of operating the
battery charge level indicator in a second mode which is different than
the first mode.
3. A method for displaying charge levels of a battery adapted to power an
electrical device, with the electrical device having a charge state of
operation and a discharge state of operation, comprising the steps of:
displaying a first series of at least two different charge levels of the
battery in a first manner during the charge state of operation of the
electrical device; and
displaying a second series of at least two different charge levels of the
battery in a second manner, which is different from the first manner,
during the discharge state of operation of the electrical device.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein:
the first manner displaying step includes the step of operating a battery
charge level indicator in a first mode, and
the second manner displaying step includes the step of operating the
battery charge level indicator in a second mode which is different than
the first mode.
5. A method for displaying charge levels of a battery adapted to power an
electrical device, with the electrical device having a charge state of
operation and a discharge state of operation, comprising the steps of:
polling the battery to determine charge level information regarding the
battery;
if the charge level information determined in the polling step indicates
that the electronic device is functioning in the charge state of
operation, displaying a first series of at least two different charge
levels of the battery in a first manner; and
if the charge level information determined in the polling step indicates
that the electronic device is functioning in the discharge state of
operation, displaying a second series of at least two different charge
levels of the battery in a second manner, wherein the second manner is
different from the first manner.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein:
the first manner displaying step includes the step of operating a battery
charge level indicator in a first mode, and
the second manner displaying step includes the step of operating the
battery charge level indicator in a second mode which is different than
the first mode.
Description
Cross reference is made to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/155,662, filed Nov. 22, 1993, and entitled "Charge Level Display Method
and Apparatus for a Battery of an Electronic Device", which is assigned to
the same assignee of the present invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for displaying
indicia and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for displaying a
charge level of a battery.
There have been, heretofore, numerous devices designed for displaying a
charge level of a battery. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,659 describes
a battery monitor which indicates the projected time until a battery
reaches a lower threshold value indicative of the energy capacity of the
battery. The battery monitor includes a microprocessor which iteratively
reads the value of the battery voltage. The microprocessor then determines
the rate of discharge of the battery and projects the future values of the
battery voltage as well as the projected time at which the battery voltage
attains the threshold voltage. This projected time is then displayed on a
visual indicator, such as an LCD display. U.S. Pat. No. 5,043,651
discloses an apparatus having a rechargeable battery and a battery voltage
detector which detects the output voltage of the battery to produce a
detection signal when the output voltage falls below a predetermined
threshold level. A controller stores a battery capacity value and
accumulates the discharge of the battery to produce an accumulated
capacity value. The controller also calculates a difference between the
stored capacity value and the accumulated capacity value. Using the
difference, a display displays the remaining charge value of the battery
thereon. If the difference exceeds a predetermined value at a time the
controller receives the detection signal, the controller changes the
stored capacity value to a new capacity value. In addition, U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,105,180; 5,124,627; 5,130,658; and 5,130,659 disclose other devices for
displaying the charge level of a battery.
However, while the charge level of a battery which is used to power an
electrical apparatus, such as a portable computer, can be adequately
displayed by one of the aforementioned devices, the user of the electrical
apparatus may be unaware as to whether the battery is in the process of
being charged. Also, it would be desirable if the charge level of the
battery was displayed in a pleasant manner which allows easy determination
of such charge level.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a method for displaying a charge level of a battery. The method
includes the steps of (1) displaying the charge level of the battery in a
first manner during battery charging, and (2) displaying the charge level
of the battery in a second manner which is different than the first manner
during battery discharging.
Pursuant to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided
a method for displaying a charge level of a battery adapted to power a
portable computer, with the portable computer having a charge state of
operation and a discharge state of operation. The method includes the
steps of (1) displaying the charge level of the battery in a first manner
during the charge state of operation of the portable computer, and (2)
displaying the charge level of the battery in a second manner, which is
different from the first manner, during the discharge state of operation
of the portable computer.
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a method for displaying a charge level of a battery adapted to
power an electrical device, which includes the step of providing a battery
charge level indicator which includes a first indicator portion and a
second indicator portion, each representing a certain quantity of charge
remaining in the battery of the electrical device. The method further
includes the step of operating the battery charge indicator in a first
mode of operation which includes the steps of (1) indicating a first
charge level of the battery by flashing the first indicator portion while
causing the second indicator portion to remain inactivated, and (2)
indicating a second charge level of the battery by flashing the second
indicator portion while causing the first indicator portion to remain
activated.
Pursuant to yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a battery charge level indicator which includes a display for
indicating a charge level of a battery, and a mechanism for operating the
display so as to indicate whether the battery is in a charge state of
operation or a discharge state of operation.
Pursuant to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a battery charge level indicator which includes a display for
indicating a charge level of a battery, and a mechanism for operating the
display in a first mode during battery charging and in a second mode
during battery discharging, wherein the first mode is different from the
second mode.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and
useful method and apparatus for displaying a charge level of a battery.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved method
and apparatus for displaying a charge level of a battery.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method and
apparatus for displaying a charge level of a battery which is used to
power an electrical device such as a portable computer, that can provide
information to the user of the electrical device so that the user can
determine whether the battery is in the process of being charged.
It is moreover another object of the present invention to provide a method
and apparatus for displaying a charge level of a battery which is pleasant
and allows easy determination of such charge level.
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description and the
attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagrammatic view of a portable computer incorporating
the features of the present invention therein.
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the indicator used in the portable
computer of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F are each an elevational view of the
indicator used in the portable computer of FIG. 1 with each of the FIGS.
3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F showing the indicator representing a certain
charge level of the battery pack used in the portable computer of FIG. 1
during its charge state of operation.
FIG. 4 is a table presenting the variable "Figure which Shows the Image
Displayed on the Indicator during Charging of the Battery Pack" as a
function of the variable "Charge Level (in %) of the Battery Pack".
FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E and 5F are each an elevational view of the
indicator used in the portable computer of FIG. 1 with each of the FIGS.
5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E and 5F showing the indicator representing a certain
charge level of the battery pack used in the portable computer of FIG. I
during its discharge state of operation.
FIG. 6 is a table presenting the variable "Figure which Shows the Image
Displayed on the Indicator during Discharging of the Battery Pack" as a
function of the variable "Charge Level (in %) of the Battery Pack".
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative
forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in
the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be
understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the
particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover
all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a portable
computer, generally indicated by the reference numeral 10, which
incorporates the features of the present invention therein. The portable
computer 10 includes an electrical system 12, a battery pack 16, a battery
charge level indicator 20 and a loudspeaker 22. The electrical system 12
includes a microprocessor 14. The battery pack 16 is coupled via lines 18
to the microprocessor 14. The battery pack 16 includes a number of
batteries plus circuitry which electrically communicates with the
microprocessor 14. For example, the battery pack circuitry allows the
microprocessor 14 to periodically poll the battery pack 16 in order to
determine information regarding the charge level of the batteries
contained in the battery pack. The indicator 20 is coupled via line 24 to
the microprocessor 14 and interprets signals from the microprocessor so as
to display information regarding the charge level of the batteries
contained in the battery pack 16. Also, the loudspeaker 22 is coupled to
the microprocessor 14 via line 26 and is activated so as to beep at
predetermined times thereby indicating certain information regarding the
charge level of the batteries contained in the battery pack.
The indicator 20 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2. In particular, the
indicator 20 includes four LCD display segments 28, 30, 32 and 34 each
which may be activated to display an image. When display segments 28, 30,
32 and 34 are simultaneously activated, a two dimensional image of a
battery is created on the indicator 20.
In accordance with one method of the present invention, the charge level of
the battery pack 16 is displayed in a first manner during charging of the
battery pack, and in a second manner which is different from the first
manner, during discharging of the battery pack. The terms "charging of the
battery pack", "charging of the battery", "battery pack charging",
"battery charging" and "charge state of operation" are all used herein as
meaning that the battery pack 16 is electrically coupled to an AC power
source (not shown) so as to increase the total amount of electrical energy
stored in the battery pack 16. Moreover, the terms "discharging of the
battery pack", "discharging of the battery", "battery pack discharging",
"battery discharging" and "discharge state of operation" are all used
herein as meaning that the battery pack 16 is not electrically coupled to
an AC power source and any electrical activity performed by the portable
computer 10 causes a decrease in the total amount of electrical energy
stored in the battery pack 16.
The first manner in which the charge level of the battery pack 16 is
displayed includes operating the indicator 20 in a first mode during
charging of the battery. The first mode of operating the indicator 20 is
depicted in FIGS. 3A-3F. In FIGS. 3A-3F, each of the four LCD display
segments may be shown as a solid display segment, or alternatively, a
display segment filled with diagonal lines. For example, the display
segment 28 is shown in FIG, 3B as a display segment filled with diagonal
lines, and in FIG. 3C as a solid display segment. As used in FIGS. 3A-3F,
a solid display segment indicates that the display segment is constantly
activated, while a display segment filled with diagonal lines is
periodically activated, or in other words, flashing. Therefore, the
display segment 28 is flashing in FIG. 3B, while it is constantly
activated in FIG. 3C.
Again, the first manner in which the charge level of the battery pack 16 is
displayed includes operating the indicator 20 in a first mode during
charging of the battery and is depicted in FIGS. 3A-3F. Assuming that the
battery pack 16 is substantially completely discharged, none of the four
LCD display segments will be activated and the resulting image that is
displayed on indicator 20 is depicted in FIG. 3A. As the battery pack 16
begins to charge, the resulting image that is displayed on the indicator
20 changes to the image depicted in FIG. 3B. This image will continue to
be displayed on the indicator 20 until the charge level of the battery is
25% of full capacity. When the charge level of the battery increases to
25% of full battery capacity, the resulting image that is displayed on the
indicator 20 changes to the image depicted in FIG. 3C. As the battery pack
16 further continues to charge, the image shown in FIG. 3C remains on the
indicator 20 until the charge level of the battery is 50% of full
capacity. When the charge level of the battery increases to 50% of full
battery capacity, the resulting image that is displayed on the indicator
20 changes to the image depicted in FIG. 3D. As the battery pack 16
continues to charge, the image shown in FIG. 3D remains on the indicator
20 until the charge level of the battery is 75% of full capacity. When the
charge level of the battery increases to 75% of full battery capacity, the
resulting image that is displayed on the indicator 20 changes to the image
depicted in FIG. 3E. As the battery pack 16 continues to charge, the image
shown in FIG. 3E remains on the indicator 20 until the charge level of the
battery is 100% of full capacity. When the charge level of the battery
increases to 100% of full battery capacity, the resulting image that is
displayed on the indicator 20 changes to the image depicted in FIG. 3F. A
table presenting the variable "Figure which Shows the Image Displayed on
the Indicator during Charging of the Battery Pack" as a function of the
variable "Charge Level (in %) of the Battery Pack" is shown in FIG. 4.
Next, the second manner in which the charge level of the battery pack 16 is
displayed includes operating the indicator 20 in a second mode during
discharging of the battery. The second mode of operating the indicator 20
is depicted in FIGS. 5A-5F. In FIGS. 5A-5F, each of the four LCD display
segments may be shown as a solid display segment, or alternatively, a
display segment filled with crisscrossed lines. For example, the display
segment 28 is shown in FIG. 5E as a display segment filled with
crisscrossed lines, and in FIG. 5D as a solid display segment. As used in
FIGS. 5A-5F, a solid display segment indicates that the display segment is
constantly activated, while a display segment filled with crisscrossed
lines is periodically activated, or in other words, flashing. Therefore,
the display segment 28 is flashing in FIG. 5E, while it is constantly
activated in FIG. 5D. However, the flash rate of a display segment that is
filled with crisscrossed lines (see e.g., item 28 in FIG. 5E), as used
herein, is twice as quick as the flash rate of a display segment that
filled with diagonal lines (see e.g., item 28 in FIG. 3B). For example, if
the display segment 28 of FIG. 3B was flashing at a rate of two displays
per second, the display segment 28 of FIG. 5E would flash at a rate of
four displays per second.
Again, the second manner in which the charge level of the battery pack 16
is displayed includes operating the indicator 20 in a second mode during
discharging of the battery and is depicted in FIGS. 5A-5F. Assuming now
that the battery pack 16 is completely charged (i.e. at 100% of full
capacity), each of the four LCD display segments will be activated and the
resulting image that is displayed on indicator 20 is depicted in FIG. 5A.
When the battery pack 16 begins to discharge (due, for example, to
electrical operation of the portable computer) the same image remains
displayed on the indicator 20 as depicted in FIG. 5A. This image will
continue to be displayed on the indicator 20 until the charge level of the
battery is 75% of full capacity. When the charge level of the battery
decreases to 75% of full battery capacity, the resulting image that is
displayed on the indicator 20 changes to the image depicted in FIG. 5B. As
the battery pack 16 continues to discharge, the image as shown in FIG. 5B
remains on the indicator 20 until the charge level of the battery is 50%
of full capacity. When the charge level of the battery decreases to 50% of
full battery capacity, the resulting image that is displayed on the
indicator 20 changes to the image depicted in FIG. 5C. As the battery pack
16 continues to discharge, the image as shown in FIG. 5C remains on the
indicator 20 until the charge level of the battery is 25% of full
capacity. When the charge level of the battery decreases to 25% of full
battery capacity, the resulting image that is displayed on the indicator
20 changes to the image depicted in FIG. 5D. As the battery pack 16
continues to discharge, the image as shown in FIG. 5D remains on the
indicator 20 until the charge level of the battery is 5% of full capacity.
When the charge level of the battery decreases to 5% of full battery
capacity, the resulting image that is displayed on the indicator 20
changes to the image depicted in FIG. 5E. At this point, the
microprocessor 14 activates the loudspeaker 22 so as to beep five times
thereby indicating a critically low charge level of the battery pack 16.
As the battery pack 16 continues to discharge, the image as shown in FIG.
5E remains on the indicator 20 until the charge level of the battery is 2%
of full capacity. However, when the charge level of the battery decreases
to 3% of full battery capacity, the microprocessor 14 again activates the
loudspeaker 22 so as to beep ten times thereby indicating an even more
critically low charge level of the battery pack 16. As the battery pack 16
continues to discharge and the charge level of the battery decreases to 2%
of full battery capacity, all of the indicator segments 28, 30, 32 and 34
deactivate so that the resulting image that is displayed on the indicator
20 changes to the image depicted in FIG. 5F. Note that when the charge
level of the battery decreases to 2% of full battery capacity, the
portable computer 10 automatically deactivates so as to preserve the
remaining electrical energy in the battery pack 16. A table presenting the
variable "Figure which Shows the Image Displayed on the Indicator during
Discharging of the Battery Pack" as a function of the variable "Charge
Level (in %) of the Battery Pack" is shown in FIG. 4.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the
drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description is
to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being
understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described
and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the
invention are desired to be protected. For example, one of the preferred
embodiments of the present invention has been described as a method and
apparatus that indicates the charge level of a battery pack which includes
a number of batteries. As a result, the present invention is applicable to
a method and apparatus which indicates the charge level of a single
battery, as well as a method and apparatus which indicates the charge
level of two or more batteries.
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